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REFORM IN NEW- YORK CITY 



ADDRESS 



People of the City of JVew-York 



(ITIZENS' ASSOCIATION 



OF NEW-YORK. 



TOGETHER WITH 



^c$olutiott$ of ODonfidcua and ©hanfeji 



TKNDEKEU TO TIIK 



Officers of the Citizens' Association, 



ADOPTED AT A (iKNEKAI> MEETINO. 



N E W - Y O R K : 

ITlil.ISHED BY THI'^ CITIZEN'S' ASSOCIATION, 

MAY 6 , 1870. 



ADDBESS 

TO THE 

People of the City of New-York 

ISY THE 

CITIZENS' ASSOCIATION 

OF NEW-YORK. 



TCXfETIIKR WITH 

^c^olution^ of ^imfirtcufc and ®hanb 



TENIIEIiED TO THE 



OFFICERS OF THE CITIZENS' ASSOCIATION, 

ADOPTED AT A (iEXKRAL MEETINO. 



NE W- Y<) |;K : 

Pl'BMSUEn BY THE CITIZENS' ASSOCIATION, 
MAY li , 1870. 



CiTiZKNs' Association cf New-York. | 
No. S\] BiiOADWAv, Ajiril 26, 1870. ) 

At a ■rencral mtetin<i ot the Citizens' Association, 
held April 26, 1S70, at No. 813 Broailway, the follow- 
ing address to the citizens ot New-York was vuiani- 
inoush' ado[ited. and onlereti to be published, together 
with the tollowin" resolutions : 



To THE CiTizr.Ns OF Nfw-York : 

Iniportant changes having been made by the Legis- 
lature during the present session in the local Govern- 
ment ot" the City of New-York, affecting deeply the 
interests of the people, the Citizens' Association deems 
a brief ex[ilanation ot those changes proper at the 
present time. 

1. A Board ot Aldermen to be elected u[ion a 
general ticket irom the City at large on May 17 next, 
will supersede the present Boartl ot Aldermen elected 
trom tlistricts. 

2. A Board ot Assistant Aldermen, to consist of 
one person chosen trom each ot the regular Assembly 
Districts, will sufiersede the present Board selected 
trom S[)ecial Ald(Tmanic Districts. 



3- The Street Commissioner's Department and the 
Croton Aqueduct Board are consoh'dated into a De. 
partment of Public Works, under the charge of one 
person as Commissioner of Public Works. 

4. A new department, called the Department of 
Docks, is created, to have sole charge of the wharves 
and piers and to build new and commodious dock 
structures. 

5. The Boards of Police, Fire and Health, are with- 
drawn from their extended Metropolitan jurisdiction 
and resolved into local departments without the loss 
of any powers in respect of this City. 

6. The separate Boardof Supervisors for the County 
of New-York is abolished, and the powers of Super- 
visors conferred on the Board of Aldermen. 

7. The Department ot Finance is placed under 
a Comptroller, to be appointed instead of being 
elected. 

8. All powers by which the Governor or other State 
authority can appoint or remove City officers are 
abolished, and all such officers are appointed by the 
Mayor. 

g. 1 he power to hear and determine charges of mal- 
feasance against all City officers, is vested in the Court 
of Common Pleas in full bench. 

10. The Mayor may bring to trial on charges any 
City officer accused of malfeasance. If the charges be 
sustained by the Court the office of the respondent 
becomes vacant. 



11. The Board of Aldermen may bring the Mayor 
to trial for alleged malfeasance. If the charges be 
sustained his office becomes vacant. 

12. The Board of Aklermcn can appropriate money 
generally only by a three-fourths vote ot all the mem- 
bers : and can appropriate money for celebrations. 
&c., only by a four-fitths \c)te : and can make extra 
allowances of money only by a unanimous vote. 
These restrictions being far more rigorous than any 
heretofore existing. 

13 The completion of the work, on the new County 
Court-house is removed from the Board ot Super- 
visors and placed i i the hands ot four practical [ler- 
sons. to be appointed by the Mayor. 

These are the principal changes made in our local 
Government. Nearly all ot them are reforms which 
have been asked tor by our citizens through the Citi- 
zens' Association for the pa.st six years. The Citizens' 
Association was organized Dec. 12. 186] It is, and 
always has been, a thoroughly non-partisan bt)dy, Ci)m- 
posed of men of every shade ot political opinion, act 
in"- in concert to secure one end — honest, efficient 
and economical government for New-York. For 
nearly seven years it has unceasingly and vigorously 
pursued its course and performed its work. Bitter at- 
tacks or censure have never for a moment turned it 
aside from its duty. It iias labored every year to re- 



6 

duce the annual tax levies, and the result is shown in 
the fact that the taxes of the City are now lower than 
in any other large city in this country, being about 
one per cent, on the actual value of property. It 
has also labored every year to secure such changes 
in our local Government as would best secure econ- 
omy and efficiency. The changes it sought were as 
follows : 



1. The appointment of all heads of departments by 
the Mayor. | Recommended by the Citizens' Asso- 
ciation to the Constitutional Convention in 1867. 
Now adoptetl b) the new Charter.] 

The benefits secured by this are as follows: The 
Mayor b'eing responsible for the elEciency of his ap- 
pointees, selects practical men tor heads of depart- 
ments, and mere local political manipulators are 
excluded. The heads ot departments not being 
elected, and having no minor political adherents to 
reward, appoint practical clerks in all the offices. 
The departments thus become business establish- 
ments with efficient incumbents, instead ot mere 
electioneering machines and nurseries for political 
favorites. Each head of department not being de- 
{)endent on politics, but good beha\ior, for his office, 
will study to economize the public funds and serve 
the public interests. 



2. Tlie cunsolidation ot the Street Department anel 
the Croton Board, together with the builch'n<i functions 
ot the Super\ isors, in one Board, to be called the 
Board of" Public Works. | Urgeil by the Citizens' 
Association in proposed acts [presented to the Legis- 
lature in iS66and 1S67. Now adopted by the new 
Charter and the act aboli.^hing the Board of Super- 
visors. I 

The ad\antages ot this measure are, that it gives 
the whole jurisdiction over our street-paving, flag- 
ging, sewering, water-pipes, public buildings, ^I'c.. 
&c., to one head, instead of leaving it to two conflict- 
ing authorities. It cuts oft' a truittul source ot pecu- 
lation, tormerlv I'racticed by collusion between con 
tractors from the two independent departments, and 
lessens the ex[)ense ot keejiing up two Boards. It 
makes one man responsible before the people in such 
a manner that he cannot escajie the consequences of 
neglect. malt('asan;:e or inelKciency, and enables re- 
form to be eftected by (>ne remo\al and one re-ap- 
]iointment in the whole range of public woiks. 



^Vliantfj; and |^icv,o. 

3. The creation of a se[xirate Board to have charge 



of all the wharves, piers and water front. | Urgf 



■ci 



upon the Legislature by tiie Citizens' Association in 



8 

the ye;irs 1866, 1867, 1868 and 1S69. Now adopted 
in the new Charter and the Tax Levy ot this year.] 

The benefits to flow trom this measure may be 
briefly summed up. They are: The institution of a 
vigorous, comprehensive and progressive policy by the 
Government in relation to our docks, by which the 
present decaying wooden structures will be replaced 
by permanent, elegant and commodious wharves, at 
once an ornament to our harbor, an inducement to 
commerce and a needed improvement to the health of 
the city. The cost of these structures, though large 
and proportioned to the great benefits to be gained, 
will not really tall upon our people. The wharfage to 
be collected will pay both interest and principal of the 
bonds to be issued. It is simply an intelligent admin- 
istration of our great wharf estate, which is inaugu- 
rated by this change — an administration which, like 
the original outlay for the Croton water, will pay for 
itself, and like the cost of the Central Park, will be an 
investment which will raise the value of our city 
property a hundred-fold. 

4. A Board of Aldermen, elected by the city at 
large. | Recommended to the Constitutional Conven- 
tion in 1867 by the Citizens' Association. Now 
adopted by the new Charter. ] 

The advantage of such a Board is, that every mem- 
ber of it being voted upon by every elector, the can- 



didates must be a Ixttcr class ot citizens, who will not 
attempt the ruinous pavement expenditures, the at- 
tacks on private pro[)erty, the waste of mone)% and 
the various petty inHictions which the former Boards 
practiced in order to sup[)l}' the wants ot rapacious local 
politicians, whose obscurity and limited constituency 
almost screened them trom in\cstip;ation. 



^hc ^u|rcmsov,!5. 



y The abolition ot the Board ot Supervisors, and 
vesting their {lowers in tlie Boanl ot Aldermen antl 
the Ma\'or. | Heconnnemled to the Constitutional 
Convention b\' the Citizens' Association, and now 
ado|)tetl by the act abolishing the Board ot Super- 
visors. I 

This saves the expense ot a separate government 
and separate legislation tor a territory which is alike 
tor the City ami Countv, and enabl<-s our citizens, by 
the exercise ot a single act ot \igilance to watch both 
the City and the County Government, as it is exercised 
in one body. The Mayor ot the City is thus also 
made responsible for the County Government, and his 
character, experience and position art; put in the scale 
to weigh in favor ot good government. 

i\iU(c, iivc and ^ualth. 

6. Till' creation ot separate Boards to have charge 
of tlie Police, the Fire and the Health l)e|iartments. 



10 

[The Fire Board was instituted in 1865, and the 
Health Board in 1866, at the instance of the Citizens' 
Association, as Departments separate from the other 
municipal bodies. Now, by the new Charter, these 
Boards are continued as separate, with their full powers, 
only restricted to this city. | 

The inestimable blessings conferred upon our citi- 
zens in the protection of life, property and health, by 
these three great Departments, are too well-known to 
need explanation at this day. Years have tested their 
efficiency and the wisdom which instituted them and 
guided their acts. They now act in harmony with a 
centralized and responsible local Government. 



7. The appointment of a separate committee to 
complete the work upon the new Court-house. [Urged 
upon the Legislature by the Citizens' Association as 
far back as 1866. Now adopted by the Tax Levy of 
this year. | 

The fact that this plan was urged four years ago, 
and that the edifice is not yet finished, is sufficient 
reason for its final adoption. The four men to whom 
it is now to be confided will have the attention of the 
whole county directed to their acts, and they have 
every inducement which undivided responsibility and 
personal reputation can furnish to make a speedy 
end of this necessary work. A standing reproach to 



11 

our county will now pass away, together with tiie 
vitiateil system under wliich it has so \ong existed. 



Jlmpcachmfut. 



8. The institution ot a local Judicial tribunal, to 
wliich resort can be had tor relict from official wrong- 
doing. I Urged u[)on the Legislature tor se\eral years 
past by the Citizens' Association, in ditlerent torms. 
Now adopted by the new Charter. | 

Heretofore the Governor or Legislature alone could 
remove incompetent or wasteful officials. But this 
power was so remote and diffuse as to be entirely freed 
from responsibility for prompt or conscientious action 
upon the momentous questions involved. Now a safe 
and judicious means of impeachment is provided to 
remedy local abuses. 



Reform Obtained 

It will thus be seen that the great ends of local 
reform, tor which the Citizens' Association has toiled 
through every adverse circumstance, have been accom- 
plished, and that our city is, so far as its system of 
government is concerned, redeemed from the irresponsi- 
bility into which it had fallen, and had been so long 
sufferetl to remain. It will be seen that the labor of 
regeneration, although a[)parently slow in progress, 
and carried on against every species of obstruction ami 
attack, has achieved no ordinary triumph, and has by 



12 

vts inherent strength and merit won to the side of re- 
form and good government the great political party 
by which the government of this Metropolis is ad. 
ministered. The Citizens' Association recognizing 
no party as a party in questions of municipal reform, 
has co-operated with every power that promised the 
attainment of a pure government. It has thus hap- 
pened that at times it has been accused of working in 
the Republiciin interests, and at others of working in 
the Democratic interests; the truth being that it 
worked at all times simply in the interest of good 
government, and it dees not now hesitate to appeal to 
the people of the City and State of New- York to say 
whether its course has not been so directed that the 
administration of local affairs is in all respects vastly 
improved since the organization of the Association 
in 1863. 

The Association intends to carry on its work in the 
tuture with the same energy and zeal it has shown in 
the past. The government of the city must be per- 
fected in all its details, and, above all, the good which 
has already been obtained, must be carefully guarded. 
New-York cannot afford to lose these dearly bought 
advantages by supineness and neglect. Unceasing 
vigilance must insure her against retrograding in her 
career of improvement ; ami the Association does not 
hesitate to promise that if the energies of the citizens 
are bent to attainins; in their government — first, a 



13 

thorough efficiency; second, economy ot expendi- 
tures: third, the wisest method ot local expansion and 
improvement — New-York City will reach such a 
height ot prosperity and rcjnitation as the worKl has 
never seen. Already a sweeping retorm in the man- 
agement ot" those great works— the State Canals — 
promises the acquisition ot enormous traffic and untold 
riches to the whole State and to this Metropolis. The 
[)roj('cteti system ot new Docks is come to maturity in 
time to accomniodate an immense inland and toreign 
commerce. These retorms and the natural advan- 
tages ot our city are such as to render the prospects 
ot the tutu^e bright in results yet to oe achieved. 

The Citizens' Association reviewing the past with 
its progress and achievements, and looking torward to 
the work yet to be done, and the results yet to be se- 
I cured, cannot stand still or draw back trom the mission 

' assigned to it. It teels more than ever the momentous 

importance ot its work, and the grand consequences 
I involved in its success. It is true that in one sense its 

field is local and limited. Its aim is City Retorm antl 
City Improvement. But in another view the tield ex- 
pands to the dimensions ot an Empire, and the results 
of its triumph reach over States .and Continents. 



^utuvc of |lciit-i|!ovIt. 

New-York is not merely a populous city ; it is a 
grand seminary ot ideas, examples anil influences. 
Its commerce binds it to all the workl ; its arts ami 



14 

sciences, its mechanics, its industry, its grand enter- 
prises, its enormous wealth, magnificent charities, its 
vast moral influence — all these give it a name and 
power unequalled by any community in any other 
nation; and it it is now a power and model of pro- 
gress, with all its faults, what a splendor will it exhibit 
when treed troni the influences ot bad government — 
when wise and high-minded men fill its offices and de- 
vote their energies to the development ot its resources, 
and the improvement ot its vast natural and moral ad- 
vantages. It this Metropolis had been created and 
located on purpose to show how great it is possible for 
a city to become, no better choice could have been 
made. Washed on three sides by rivers, with a bay 
capable ot holding the commercial navies ot the world, 
with every facility for cleanliness, health and comfort, 
with innumerable outlets and communications with 
all sections of the Union, and all nations of the earth ; 
with attractions drawing to it men ot enterprise and 
industry from all countries and climes, it may in a few- 
years, it wisely governed and developed, become the 
greatest of cities. What a grand demonstration of the 
enterprise, wealth and skill of her people I What a 
proof of the genial power of free institutions might be 
shown in the broad and pa vet! thoroughfares, extend- 
ing from the East to the North River, and from the 
Battery to Harlem; massive docks, piers and ware- 
houses around its whole front, tor the commerce ot 
the world ; beautiful parks; fountains for ornaments, 
and tor the thirsty wayfarer ; public gardens and places 



<)t amu^t:■lll('nr lor the [il'()[)1(_''s use and rccrt-atioti : 
spacioiH and brautihd markets, located tor public 
convenience : streets carefully graded and paved, 
swept and cleaneil daily; ct)nitortable, clean and 
cheap public conveyances, so that the poorest might 
enjoy rapid transit to and trom every section. Such a 
city the Citizens' Association desires New-York to 
become. 

5uty of our Citi^fn;s. 

The Association would now earnestly appeal to 
every citizen to take an active part and interest in our 
local government. Great results are bound up in 
establishing wise and etficient government on this 
island. That this may be obtained has been demon- 
strated. In order to complete the work our merchants 
ami mechanics have only to discharge the duties they 
owe to each other and to the [lublic. A new s':ate ot 
th'n^fs has been inaujrurated. The Democratic leaders 
are pledged to good government and progress, and the 
Association has full confidence that these pledges will 
be kept. Let us encourage and strengthen the hands 
ot e\ery man who is willing to do his dut_\'. It was 
feared by minv, when the present SL'Ssion ot the Legis- 
lature opened, that our local government would not 
be improved; but happily these fears have not been 
realized. On the contrary, most satisfactory changes 
have been inauguratetl, encouraging the hope of results 
most beneficial to our city. 



Vntf of tfoufidcufc by the pcmbcris of 
the (j^itiscn.s' ^^^ociutiou in the (Officers 
of the 3l!S5oeiation, 

Alter the consideration ot the foregoing address, the 
following were unanimously adopted: 

Jlf.solutioivs. 

Wh'.reas, tlie members of the Citizens' Association, in general 
meeting, have caused ro appear the wliole course of the manage- 
ment of the organization from its foundation, and the policy and 
acts of its officers in all matters relating to their duties and the ob- 
jects of the Association ; and it has been found that the etforts ot 
the Association have been properly directed by its said officers, who 
liave diligently, ablv and faithfiillv labored to cft'ect its great ends, 
and have achieved substantial and unequivocal success, resulting in 
great good to our people ; therefore, be it 

Rfsoi.vf.d, That we have full faith and confidence in the said 
officers of the Association ; that wc indorse their policv and approve 
their course, and thank them for the zeal, ability and wisdom wiih 
which they have discharged their trusts ; and 

Resoi,ved, That the direction of the affairs and purposes of the 
Association he continued unaltered in the future ; and further 

Risoi.vED, That the Address, as adopted, together with these Rcr.o- 
Kiiions, be published in the Press for the information of the people of 
this city, and be printed for general circulation as well as for future 
reference and preservation. 



(Signed,) 



.lAMKS BItOWN, 
KDWI.N IIOVT. 
.(OlIN JACOB ASTOR, 
.JACOB l>. VKKMILVK. 
CirAKI, F.S TliACV, 



MOSFS TAYLOB. 
.loHX TAVI.OR .lOIINSTOX, 
STKWAB'I' BUOW.X. 
WILLIAM B, ASTOR. 
.loXATHAN STIUCKS. 



18 



JOHN PAVIU WOLFE, 
JOHN A. WEEKS, 
SAMUEL SLOAN, 
.lAMES F. DEPEYSTER, 
JOHN Q. JONES, 
JAMES STOKES, 
WILLAKD PAHKER, 
MUUKAY HOFFMAN, 
HoWAIiD POTTEli, 
JAMES M. BHOWN, 
Hh:XJAMlN H. HUTTON, 

cYHUs cuirnss. 

BAliNET L. SOLOMON, 
SAMUEL WH.LETS, 
DAVU) STEWAHT, 
JOSEPH L. SPOFFOIiD, 
H. ('. FAHNESTOCK, 
WU.LLAM 0(JTH()UT, 
HENHY M. TABEK, 
WH.LLVM H. FOO(i, 
ClIAKLES N. TALBOT, 
WHJJAM F. CAKY, 
SAMUEL W. BARNARD, 
RICILVKI) MORTIMER, 
JOHN BRlIXiE, 
HENRY BALL, 
A. ROBERTSON WALSH, 
JAMES STUART, 
SAMUEL C. THOMPSON, 
l)ANn^]L PARISH, 
HENRY IVISON, 
MOSES G. BALDWIN, 
HENRY S. TERRELL, 
JOHN FALCONER. 
WILLIAM MENZIES, 
DAVID DOWS, 
J. PlEliPoNT MOROAN, 
JOHN P. PAULISON, 
ADAM NORRIE, 
(iEOROE II. POTTS, 
HARRIS COLT. 
CHARLES BURKH ALTER, 
EBEXEZER MONROE, 
F. W. (i. BELLOWS. 
JOHN S. WILLIAMS, 
J. M. HALSTED. 
IIAXS REES. 
WM. WOOD, 
SALEM II WALES, 
ERASTUS TITUS, 
WASIIINOTON R. VERMIL 
CIIARLKS LANIER, 
MORRIS K. JESrP, 
RICHARD BERRY, 
FRKDFRICK D. TAPPEN, 
AXSON PHELPS STOKES, 
ROBERT BAYLES, 



YE, 



WILLIAM A. BOOTH, 
WILLIAM E. DODGE, 
II. B. CLAFLIN, 
SHEPHERD KNAPP, 
A. R. WETMORE, 
PAUL N. SPOFFORD, 
JEREMIAH P. ROBINSON, 
THEODORE W. RILEY, 
JAS. UOORMAN JOHNSTON. 
PETER CflLSEY, 
WILLIAM II. LEE, 
WILLL^M T. BLODGETT, 
ROBERT COLGATE. 
WILLIAM BL(.IODGOOD, 
(iOOLD IIOYT, 
FREDERIC DE PEYSTER. 
WM. ALEXANDER SMITH. 
HENRY A BURR, 
WILLIAM H. JACKSON, 
JOSEPH STUART, 
WILLIAM II. (iUIOX. 

james m. constable, 
joskpii w. alsop, 
sf;tii b hunt. 
william sloane, 
thomas barron, 
courtlandt palmer, 
robert campbell, 
isaac sherman, 
isaac n. phelps, 
albert clark, 
john sloane, 
john warren, 

JOHN McKESSON, 
JOSEPH ALLEX, 
(JEOR(iE CABOT WARD, 
IIEXRY (i. MARQUAXD, 
DoU(iLAS SLOAXE. 
EDWARD MATTHEWS, 
WILLIAM E. DODGE, Jk., 
ANDREW CARRIGAN, 
RICHARD P. BRUFF, 
FRANKLIN WOODRUFF, 
JESSE IKiYT. 
JOHN D. MAIRS, 
JOHN P. MARQUAND, 
SIMON D. VISSER. 
JOHN II. SHERWOOD, 
CHARLES G. LANDOX, 
RICHARD ARXOLD, 
MOREAU DELAXO, 
JOHN CASTREE, 
ISAAC S. SOLOMON, 
GEORGE S. COE. 
WILLIAM L. JENKINS, 
TlloS. CHRISTY, 
J II. CiAUTIER. 



19 



HTLL CLARK. 
WILLIAM THOMSON, 
.1. I.. .lEWKTT. Til,. - 

WATSOX M.VTTIIHWS. 
K. WII.LSOX. 
.lOIIX S. SrPTIIF.X. 
IIKXKV A. PATTKRSOX, 
J. HUUII PETERS, 
(f. ('. ALLEX, 
.1. A. PE PEYSTER. 
IIEXRV WELSH. 
ALFRED M. IIOVI'. 
W. W. DEFOREST \- Co., 
OR SOX BREED. 
.1. C. DAXIEI-S. 
SAMl'EL B VAXDfSEX. 
HEXRY T. DRoWXE. 
FKEl>Ei;iCK SHEIiWooD. 
EDWARD CRoMWELI,. 
A. R. (iRAY, 
F. L. C. HOVEY, 
THOS. COLLIER. 
EDWARD S. BETLER. 
WILLIAM S. WALL.\CE. 
HEXRY E. BOWXS. 
.lOlIX MOORE. 
'i'APPEX BOWXE. 
THEODORE CIL.MAX, 



.lAMES COLLF.S. 

THOS .1. POPE. 

A. A. THO.MSOX. 

(iEoR(ii: F. BAKER, 

AXDIHOW (JILSEY, 

WILLIAM E. TREADWELL. 

(iEOROE W. COLLF.S, 

AXTHOXY HAI,SEY, 

E AXTHOXY, 

,1. B. OliDEX, 

MADISOX M. CALER. 

F. D. MOI'LTOX. 

L. .1. X. STARK. 

lll'<;il W. SHo'i'WELL. 

A. L SWEE'I', 

A. D. LADD. 

.loIlX M. TOMPKIXS. 

SAMCEL B. Y(ll"X(;. 

PHILIP W. VERPLAXCK, 

A. E. MASTERS. 

(iEO. M. WELD, 

JAMES W. CALDWELL. 

CLAl'DirS B. COXAXT, 

EXSKiX O. BEALE. 

HEXRY MEYER. 

CALVIX B. LOCKWOOD. 

II M. SAXDERSOX. 



We certify the foregoing to be a correct copy ot 
the original Address and Resolutions, with the origi- 
nal signatures attached, which are on file in tlie Rooms 
of tlie Citizens' Association. No. 813 Broadway, in 
the Citv of New-York. 



PETER COOPER, 



President 



Offi cer s 

of the 

Associalion. 



WILLIAM \\. YERMILYE, 

Treasurer. 

NATHANIEL SANDS, 

Chair inan nj (lie Ex. Coriimillee. 



JOSEPH F. DALY, 



PJCIIARIJ .\L J[LNRY, 



CounfffJ. 



Serreliiry. 






J 'II nil 

014 



221 569"S 



